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Thousands of pounds worth of grants go unclaimed each year and they're available for all sorts of wierd and wonderful projects - from energy savings to studying. I'd like to tap MoneySavers' collective knowledge to find the best ones.

What else can you find a grant for and what's the best way to get it?

Last edited by MSE Martin; 10-11-2009 at 10:33 AM.

Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.

has anyone heard of the grant to buy interview clothing a pay as u go mobile and also a free push bike to get to interviews and work.
My son in law has just been given a number from the jobcentre to make a claim for all of the above Im going there tomorrow myself to inquire.
Any one else claimed it or heard about it.

There is a lot of help available for people looking at returning to work or eductaion, regardless of benefits recieved, eligibility more dependant on where you live and having children is a requirement as well.

Project covers most of scotland, not sure about anywhere else but they can help pay for interview clothes, clothes and equipment for starting work, bike to get to work, PAYG phone in necessary circumstances etc also childcare fund to pay childcare until tax credits start and while going on training courses etc.

Hope this is in the correct thread, I am on the look out for a grant/loan to get a disabled buggy. I have just had to move house to a private rent as housing Association wouldn't help with adaptations to my bathroom for a walk in shower, nor would they offer help for a transfer nearer to a town, and a more suitable house.. saying we would have to wait up to 5 years.
There were 6 of us, 2 adults 4 children under 10 in a very small 3 bed house, 1 living room and smallish kitchen, two children shared, the eldest had the box room and we had the baby (16months) in with us. I am up 5-6 times a night in pain or popping off to the loo which meant he was always awake. and still they wouldn't help

Now I have a rather expensive house with walk in shower in a town. the baby has his own room ad we have a downstairs loo, altogether my quaility of life has gone up, but we are having to pay for it.
I already have a faimly car on motabilty (so can't go down that route again) relying on my wife to take me everwhere, sometimes this is not possible because of school runs etc. Now being in town I still find I am a bit of a prisoner but could have some independance, finanically we are stretched with affording the new house so cannot buy a secondhand buggy, My fingers are crossed that someone knows a charity or organistaion that can help.

yea went for housing benefit, also filled a pre tenancy determination with which the rent officer graded us down by £200, I appealed against this. The council awarded full benefit then deducted over £200pm as they said the property was too expensive.

I supplied various house prices from the area confirming this was anywhere between £300 and and £500 cheaper. Finally the outcome was I was again awarded 100% benefit this time with a £20pm reduction. I also recommend anyone to query the first award and also ask about the descenary (spell) housing benefit as not all councils tell you this.

That's interesting, I am eligible for some housing benefit but they only work it out based on a certain amount as I am also in a private rent, the amount they work it out on is 120pm lower than my rent. I am not eligible for full HB anyway but wonder if it would be worth querying this, as I currently pay over !!!163;200pm rent.

In actual hard cash ..yes the rest is payable to us over 13, 4 weekly payments.

As our Housing agent only accepts calandar monthly payments direct from our back account, we have to find the shortfall and the deducted £20 per month, but this works out over the year as we pay 12 to agent but recieve 13 from Council.

In my honest opinion, my council appear to try it on first time,and always seem to come up with a fairer figure on query or appeal

Contact the grants department of your Local Authority. There are grants available for energy efficiency. In certain circumstances minor repars grants of up to £3k are available. If you are disabled you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Incertain areas there are European Structural Funds available for home improvement. Sadly I do not live in one of these areas. The Charity Commission website lists thousands of charities that give grants so long as you fit into their funding criteria. Be prepared though to write a large number of applications to different charities because it can take many no's before you reach a "yes".

If you are a pensuioner the Government will give you a lump sum each winter towards fuel costs. If you are sick or disabled and are NOT a pensioner be prepared to freeze as you are not eligible for this help towards heating - even if you are on Income Support.

Contact the grants department of your Local Authority. There are grants available for energy efficiency. In certain circumstances minor repars grants of up to £3k are available. If you are disabled you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. You will need an assessment from the Occupational Therapist. Incertain areas there are European Structural Funds available for home improvement. Sadly I do not live in one of these areas. The Charity Commission website lists thousands of charities that give grants so long as you fit into their funding criteria. Be prepared though to write a large number of applications to different charities because it can take many "no's before you obtain a "yes".

If you are a pensuioner the Government will give you a lump sum each winter towards fuel costs. If you are sick or disabled and are NOT a pensioner be prepared to freeze as you are not eligible for this help towards heating - not even if you are on Income Support.

Hope this is in the correct thread, I am on the look out for a grant/loan to get a disabled buggy. I have just had to move house to a private rent as housing Association wouldn't help with adaptations to my bathroom for a walk in shower, nor would they offer help for a transfer nearer to a town, and a more suitable house.. saying we would have to wait up to 5 years.
There were 6 of us, 2 adults 4 children under 10 in a very small 3 bed house, 1 living room and smallish kitchen, two children shared, the eldest had the box room and we had the baby (16months) in with us. I am up 5-6 times a night in pain or popping off to the loo which meant he was always awake. and still they wouldn't help

Now I have a rather expensive house with walk in shower in a town. the baby has his own room ad we have a downstairs loo, altogether my quaility of life has gone up, but we are having to pay for it.
I already have a faimly car on motabilty (so can't go down that route again) relying on my wife to take me everwhere, sometimes this is not possible because of school runs etc. Now being in town I still find I am a bit of a prisoner but could have some independance, finanically we are stretched with affording the new house so cannot buy a secondhand buggy, My fingers are crossed that someone knows a charity or organistaion that can help.

Have you or any member of your family ever served in the armed forces? If so try SSAFA (Your local branch should be in the phone book) If you have ever been in a union, they might help. Former employers are also worth a try - I got help with mine from the Civil Service Benevolent Fund.

Contact the grants department of your Local Authority. There are grants available for energy efficiency. In certain circumstances minor repars grants of up to £3k are available. If you are disabled you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Incertain areas there are European Structural Funds available for home improvement. Sadly I do not live in one of these areas. The Charity Commission website lists thousands of charities that give grants so long as you fit into their funding criteria. Be prepared though to write a large number of applications to different charities because it can take many no's before you reach a "yes".

If you are a pensuioner the Government will give you a lump sum each winter towards fuel costs. If you are sick or disabled and are NOT a pensioner be prepared to freeze as you are not eligible for this help towards heating - even if you are on Income Support.

Just to let people know Grants for interview clothing are available for people claiming benefits ,I got one the other day from the jobcentre they just ask how much you need and what for I got £27.00 for a blouse and trousers.They do need the reciept back and any change.

One of my neighbours has just had their driveway done in their council house, i rang up the council to see if they had done it and they said they probably got it done on a grant, anyone know of this i can't find anything about it anywhere

Hope this is in the correct thread, I am on the look out for a grant/loan to get a disabled buggy. I have just had to move house to a private rent as housing Association wouldn't help with adaptations to my bathroom for a walk in shower, nor would they offer help for a transfer nearer to a town, and a more suitable house.. saying we would have to wait up to 5 years.
There were 6 of us, 2 adults 4 children under 10 in a very small 3 bed house, 1 living room and smallish kitchen, two children shared, the eldest had the box room and we had the baby (16months) in with us. I am up 5-6 times a night in pain or popping off to the loo which meant he was always awake. and still they wouldn't help

Now I have a rather expensive house with walk in shower in a town. the baby has his own room ad we have a downstairs loo, altogether my quaility of life has gone up, but we are having to pay for it.
I already have a faimly car on motabilty (so can't go down that route again) relying on my wife to take me everwhere, sometimes this is not possible because of school runs etc. Now being in town I still find I am a bit of a prisoner but could have some independance, finanically we are stretched with affording the new house so cannot buy a secondhand buggy, My fingers are crossed that someone knows a charity or organistaion that can help.

why not swap your motability car for a buggy ?
then buy your wife a very cheap car for the school run.
that way you could be totally independant.
can you drive a car yourself or is your wife the driver?
maybe you could do the school run and then have fully control over the car.

Most people on income support or IB JSA know you can claim the sure start maternity grant of £500 and do - as do people getting WT Credit too and they claim 11 weeks before babies due and midwives help with forms and signatures

However - most people in jobs or on maternity leave do not know they can get this grant when claiming Child Tax Credit above the basic family element of around £500 a year or £1000 a year if baby is under 1 year old

Most people on income support or IB JSA know you can claim the sure start maternity grant of !!!163;500 and do - as do people getting WT Credit too and they claim 11 weeks before babies due and midwives help with forms and signatures

However - most people in jobs or on maternity leave do not know they can get this grant when claiming Child Tax Credit above the basic family element of around !!!163;500 a year or !!!163;1000 a year if baby is under 1 year old

Hi, The Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG) you are talking about is a one of payment, of !!!163;500 per baby, if you are at least 29 weeks pregnant or baby under 3 months old. If you have adopted a baby you can apply as long as baby under age of one when adopted and you claim ASAP, within 1 months of adoption. if in doubt apply and get an official answer. You can also apply if baby is still born after 24 weeks or the baby is born prior to 29 weeks. If you claim tax credits for a new baby and then claim SSMG and get turned down put in a new claim as soon as tax credit is awarded even if baby over three months old (loop hole-late award of Qualifing Benefit, used to work on a SSMG claims section). You can apply for this if a memeber of your household, who is under 19, is expecting or had a baby. Hope this helps.

does anyone know of any grant/s that are avaible for central heatig, at the moment our house has none, we have a fire and two electric heaters upstairs you can imagine my electric bill in the winter.
Me and my partner work full time earn 25k and have just had a baby last december, so a grant would be very much appreicated to help with the coast!

is there any help out there for extensions to make extra room i have 5 kids one gets disability living allowance for adhd age 17 he shares with his brother my daughter 15 shares with her 11 year old brother and my 6 year old sleeps with us in our room only 3 bedrooms we get wftc ctc under the amount to qualify for free prescriptions hubby on low wage any help appreciated thanks

I am in a similar situation - I live in a 1960 John Madin tower block in Edgbaston and he chose to build without cavity walls. The end wall of the flat is extremely cold and is my greatest source of heat loss. I am going to dry-line it and sandwich an insulation barrier into it. There are various brands in all the DIY stores - one is called Thermawrap, which is really just bubble wrap with a foil coating.

It seems a shame that I cannot get a grant to help with this just because the schemes are all set up for just cavity walls.

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